I have a few questions before starting a new job

Hi Deb,

I received a job offer. However, I had a few questions before starting.  I have written three times with various questions. Each time I write it takes the director of the department more than a week to reply. Now I am not sure I want to work for a company that takes so long to reply to me.  Also, unless my questions are answered, I am not going to start on the date we previously set.  Do you agree with me?  How should I handle this situation?

Penelope Q. 

Dear Penelope:

If you have this many questions, perhaps this is revealing doubts that you have about working for this company.  Secondly, the amount of questions tells me that you are definitely more concerned with how this company is going to serve you rather than how you will help this company prosper.  (The primary goal of a business is to fill a need and make money, not to fulfill Penelope’s needs.)  Furthermore, if you are writing to a department head with a list of questions, a week is a reasonable amount of time to reply.  My advice is that you should relax and adjust your perspective.

Deb